1 The Search for Scholarships 7:00 p.m. Mon., Oct. 28 GOALS : Understand the basics about scholarships Learn how to find scholarship opportunities Know how to apply for awards Maximize your potential for getting scholarships Get your questions answered!

2

3 a cramping and oppressive lack of resources (i.e. money) Definition of PENURY:

4 SCHOLARSHIP BASICS Criteria, Types, & Sources Criteria: Need-based vs. Merit/Skill-based Types:  Local / Regional / State / National  Nomination-based / Open application  Renewable / Non-renewable  Contingency-based (dependent on GPA, service, etc…)  Could be terminated  Could require payback (i.e. scholarship loans) Sources:  Federal, State, Local Government  Colleges/Universities  Private organizations

5 “Sticker Price” vs. “Out-of-Pocket Cost” Students could have a lower or manageable “out-of-pocket” cost at a school with a higher “sticker price” because:  Higher need will exist at a higher cost school, and financial aid is proportional  Less popular, less competitive, and smaller schools may give more money  Private schools might have more money to give away  Larger endowment schools give less merit aid and more need-based aid  Some schools guarantee loan-free packages (some are “568” schools) – Davidson, Amherst, Williams

6 What scholarships CAN and CAN’T do: Scholarship money can:  Lower your unmet need  Decrease loan amounts  Decrease the need for work/study  Lead to a decrease in institutional scholarships/grants Scholarship money cannot:  Diminish the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution), unless that’s all that’s left of college costs  Provide personal profit above the cost of education (sum of awards cannot exceed college cost)

7 More Scholarship Basics and Tips There is no easy road to getting scholarships The more you apply for, the better your chances (multiple “small” awards can add up!) Beware of scams or marketing ploys  Avoid significant application fees or feeds paid to a scholarship search consultant, unless you truly have more money than time  Watch for red flags (“guaranteed” awards, award offers to colleges you haven’t applied to, etc….)  Educate yourself (Google “Federal Trade Commission Scholarship Scams”)

8 Basics & Tips (cont.) You could have the best luck with local scholarships  Applicant pool is smaller  There are not as many competitors as you might think! You should know how your school advertises scholarships Your counselor likes to know of your interest in awards for which nomination is required Your counselor cannot prescribe a personalized list of scholarships for which you should apply You can still apply for new scholarships AFTER enrolling in college

9 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Browse individual college websites for scholarships offered institutionally Browse websites and search programs (College Board, CFNC, etc….) for scholarships that can be used at any college GOOGLE for scholarships  Don’t give up easily  Spend time weeding through options and following links Consider military options Review your school’s newsletter, website, etc… Narrow your options to those for which you qualify (exceptions are rarely, if ever, made)

10 When you get “stuck,” contact organizations directly CALL the college admissions or financial aid office when:  You can’t find any info about their scholarships (inability to find them doesn‘t mean they don’t exist!)  You want advice on how to make finances work out after you’ve received your aid package CALL or the sponsoring organization if:  A deadline date is not listed for a scholarship found online (to be sure the competition is not outdated)  The scholarship instructions are unclear

11 Get out your smartphones and follow along!! Google “Scholarships for Dancers” Out of these many results, let’s look at one of the awards we can find, and decide whether or not to apply:  5 Scholarship Opportunities for Dancers  Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund WOULD YOU APPLY? Last listed winners were in 2011, and no year is listed in the deadline dates. Contact the organization!

12 Sample Web Resources for Finding Scholarships  – Pay – Grants and Scholarships  – Pay for College – Grants and Scholarships   

13 HOW TOAPPLY FOR AWARDS Application Procedures College/University Funded Awards  Admissions application sometimes doubles as a scholarship application  Admissions application sometimes triggers an invitation to apply for scholarship  Scholarship application is sometimes a totally separate process Scholarships from colleges or outside organizations MIGHT require the following:  FAFSA and/or PROFILE  Application form  Recommendations and/or essays  Transcript and test scores  Interviews  Family financial data

14 Application Tips Read directions and follow them exactly !!!! Familiarize yourself with the program  Background and purpose of the scholarship  Who funds the scholarship  What the organization does Treat essays seriously  Review samples of “standout” essay responses (many sources on the internet)  Determine your unique qualities, experiences, perspectives, & goals  Review essay writing tips  Work on rough drafts

15 Application Tips (cont.) Apply throughout the year  Don’t wait for college acceptance to apply  Note that updated applications often don’t come out until 2-3 months prior to deadline Prepare for interviews  Review sample interview questions  Practice through mock interviews  Set up through school counselor or other adult  Practice with an adult you do not know  Determine what is unique about yourself - What do you want the interviewers to know about you? Don’t let your parents do it for you! This can affect your opportunities and recommendations!

16 VIDEO from FASTWEB How to make your application stand out Episode THREE

17 Know What Scholarship Programs Look For **Academic excellence (rigorous curriculum, GPA/rank, SAT, grades) **Meaningful involvement in activities (clubs, sports, service, hobbies, enrichment, etc…) AND Professionalism (use formal instead of familiar language, use black/blue pen instead of pencil, type instead of print when possible, etc…) HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ELIGIBILITY POTENTIAL

18 Creativity and originality Clear and mature communication of ideas, and self-advocacy Ability to present themselves with sincerity, rather than in trendy or “cookie-cutter” packages Demonstration of self-awareness, curiosity, kindness, collaboration, etc ….. Evidence of earned respect from adults (teachers, etc…) Know What Programs Look For (cont.)

19 Create and Enhance Your Resume Donate your time in service to others (volunteering is a BIG plus for scholarships!) Take a class Learn a new skill Job-shadow a career professional Go to a “camp” or a seminar (leadership training, etc…) Find a job Travel somewhere new and keep a journal Become aware of current events LET YOUR TEACHERS GET TO KNOW YOU!!!! Use your time for productive and enriching activities, rather than for purely recreational activities.

21 QUESTIONS? Randy Norris Counselor, Reagan High Resource Handouts: Power Point Scholarships 101Website List Interviewing SkillsEssay-Writing Tips Go to Reagan High website, go to “Faculty/Staff Web Pages,” go to “Randy Norris,” then click on “Resources and Handouts”